Senate President points out: Corruption commission has no jurisdiction over constitutional bodies like the Office of the Ombudsman

Senate President Koko Pimentel (hand raised) and House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez at a special joint session of Congress.

MANILA – Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III said on Friday that the prospective Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission has no effective power to discipline top officials of constitutional bodies, such as the Office of the Ombudsman, who are subject only to impeachment proceedings by the Legislative branch.

However, short of conducting prosecutory action, the commission may conduct an investigation and even lifestyle checks on officials like the Ombudsman, Senator Pimentel added.

Only Congress, Pimentel explained, is mandated to conduct impeachment proceedings against the top officials of constitutional bodies.

The prospective commission may have jurisdiction over lower officials of the constitutional bodies, he pointed out.

It would be good to have clarity over the lines of authority and accountability this early, Pimentel said, as the commission is said to be taking shape.